Cultural “Self” Awareness & Self-Introductions

From this week’s class, I learned that cultural self-awareness is important when interacting with people from different backgrounds, especially when meeting others for the first time. It helped me reflect on both the differences and similarities between Japan and Thailand.

In Japan, first meetings are more formal and structured. People introduce themselves with their full name and often mention their school or company, followed by a polite bow. There is also a stronger sense of social distance. From the videos, including Conan O’Brien’s experiences, I noticed that people tend to maintain personal space and are less likely to invite others to their homes unless they are close. Another thing I observed is that in Japan, store staff are very attentive and usually greet customers immediately when they enter, creating a very welcoming but professional environment.

In contrast, Thailand is more relaxed and informal. People usually introduce themselves using nicknames, which creates a friendly and approachable atmosphere. Thai people are also more open in social settings, often inviting others to their homes or spending time together casually. In stores, interactions are usually less proactive, as staff tend to wait until customers ask for help rather than greeting or approaching them first.

However, there are also similarities between the two cultures. Both Japan and Thailand place importance on respect, politeness, and making a good first impression. Even though the expressions are different, such as bowing in Japan or using a friendly tone in Thailand, the intention to show respect is the same.